Communication professor establishes ground rules for political conversations with his students in class. Could they be useful to other academics struggling with how to encourage productive conversations about the president, while not losing control of the syllabus?

Arizona lawmakers' failed proposed ban on “divisive” college courses signals new criticism of white studies. Similar courses -- though common -- have become controversial elsewhere. Those who teach them say the classes are being distorted.

Advice from consultant, including that to limit courses with high failure rates, is unwelcome to Illinois State professors. But the university and the consultant say their focus is student success, not student smooth sailing.